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'Magic mushrooms' may help ease anxiety, depression in cancer patients

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Updated: 10:58 AM EST Dec 1, 2016

NBC

Johns Hopkins cancer study

SOURCE: NBC

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'Magic mushrooms' may help ease anxiety, depression in cancer patients

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Updated: 10:58 AM EST Dec 1, 2016

The hallucinogenic compound in "magic mushrooms" may help ease anxiety and depression in cancer patients.
A Johns Hopkins study monitored 51 adults with life-threatening cancer as they took a large dose of psilocybin, the active compound in "magic mushrooms."
The patients reported feeling less fearful of death, a sense of optimism and an overall better quality of life after taking the drug.
Even six months later, 80 percent felt less anxiety and depression.
But experts say hallucinogenics should never be used outside a health care setting.

(NBC News) —

The hallucinogenic compound in "magic mushrooms" may help ease anxiety and depression in cancer patients.

A Johns Hopkins study monitored 51 adults with life-threatening cancer as they took a large dose of psilocybin, the active compound in "magic mushrooms."

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The patients reported feeling less fearful of death, a sense of optimism and an overall better quality of life after taking the drug.

Even six months later, 80 percent felt less anxiety and depression.

But experts say hallucinogenics should never be used outside a health care setting.